Liquid filter device

ABSTRACT

In a liquid filter device, a tank for receiving filtered liquid has a frame disposed therein and pivotably mounted at one end thereof. Rollers mounted at each end of the frame support a driven conveyor which carries filter media. A head is adapted to discharge fluid onto the filter media. Due to the pivotable mounting, the frame including the conveyor can be moved to an upright position for cleaning the filter device.

[ Sept. 11,1973

1,559,535 10/1925 Roddy et a1. 3,091,336

1 LlQUlD FILTER DEVICE mm mm mm. AK

Inventors: Elmer F. l-lalvorsen, Indianapolis;

l-larold R. Byrd, Lebanon, both of 1nd.

Assignee: The Carborundum Company,

Primary Examiner-Frank A. Spear, Jr.

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

June 24, 1971 Attorney-Robert E. Walker and David E. Dougherty [22]Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT In a liquid filter device, a tank for receiving filteredliquid has a frame disposed therein and pivotably mounted at one endthereof. Rollers mounted at each end of the frame support a drivenconveyor which carries filter media. A head is adapted to dischargefluid onto the filter media. Due to the pivotable mounting, the frameincludingthe con an upright position for cleaning veyor can be moved tothe filter device.

[56] i References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 210/387 X 4 Claims, 3Drawing Figures IIILI wrw mwwww 1 Patented Sept. 11,1973

5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ELMER F HALVORSEN I'lllllll l HAROLD R. BYRDfloui' 9 wall Patented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wmm WM FmPatented Sept. 11, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

INVENTORS ELMER F HALVORSEN FIG. 3

BY HAROLD R. BYD

612d- E. I

uoun) FILTER nsvrcs BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesto a device for filtering liquids containing solids in suspension. Insuch devices of the prior art, a liquid fiows onto a sheet of filtermedia supported above a tank by a perforated supporting conveyor throughwhich the liquid may readily pass after filtering through the filtermedia. The conveyor is periodically moved so that the filter sheetpresents a fresh portion thereof as the solids or sludge build upthereon during the filtering process. The filter sheetcarries the solidsto a receptacle for discharge.

It has been found that contaminants undesirably accumulate in the tankand conveyor portions of the filtering device. When filtering liquidssuch as cooking oil, fruit and vegetable juices or other liquids withfiltering devices of the prior art, it has been difficult to effect thecleaning of these filtering devices and to maintain sanitary filteringconditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a liquid filterincludes a tank for receiving filtered liquid. A frame which is disposedwithin the tank is pivotably mounted at one end of the tank and includesrollers which support a driven conveyor. The conveyor carries filtermedia which passes beneath a liquid discharge head. The entire frame canbe pivoted to an upright position for cleaning the interior of the tankand the frame.

The filtering device of the present invention obviate many deficienciesof the prior art devices. Due to the pivotable mounting, the frameincluding the conveyor may be raised to an upright position whereby thefilter device may be easily cleaned. Furthermore, due to theconstruction of the frame, the ,filtrate flows freely through theconveyor and into the tank without undesirable accumulations of foodproducts. a

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The pivotable mounting permits theframe to be raised to an upright position as shown by the broken line inFIG. 2. In the operational or lowered position the frame 15 rests on abar 25 which is secured at each side of tank 11.

An endless perforated conveyor 27 formed of chain links or wire mesh iscarried by spaced rollers 29 at either end of the frame. The rollers 29are provided with a plurality of teeth for driving engagement with theconveyor. As illustrated in the drawings, one set of rollers 31 isrigidly mounted on shaft 21. Shaft 21 includes a portion projectingexteriorly to the tank 11 on which a drive sprocket is mounted. Asuitable drive means 33 including an electric motor 35 is mounted to thetank 11 and connected to the drive sprocket through suitable gears and achain or belt drive. Another set of rollers 37 is rigidly mounted toanother shaft 39 which is rotatably mounted between the elongatedmembers 17 so as to serve as idler rollers. V

A pair of standards 41 extends upwardly from one end of the tank 11. Aroll of filter media 43 preferably in sheet form is mounted between thestandards 41 to permit unwinding of the filter media 43 onto theconveyor 27 as the conveyor 27 moves. The filter media 43 exits the tank1 1 through a slot 45 in the end wall opposite the standards 41. Areceptacle can be mounted on the tank 11 for receiving expended filtermedia 43 passving through the slot 45.

The frame 15 includes an upper support 49 for the drive section of theconveyor 27. The upper support 49 includes a plurality of rods 51extending laterally across the frame 15 with one end of each of the rods41 attached toan elongated member 17 and the other ends attached to theother elongated member 17. The rods 51 are sloped inwardly anddownwardly from the ends thereof so'as to provide a lifting surface overwhich the I sides of the conveyor 27 are caused to rise for elevationThe drawings which illustrate a preferred embodi- 1 ment of the presentinvention are as follows:

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the filter device shown partially insection;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view shown partially in section; and FIG. 3is-a transverse sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings there isshown a tank or sump 11 which may comprise any receptacle for containingor receiving the filtered fluid. The tank 11 is of generally rectangularshape with vertical side walls and end walls. The bottom slopesdownwardly from the walls to a center outlet or drain. The top of thetank 11 is provided to form sloping sidewalls for'containing a liquiddischarged upon the filtering media 43. The center portion of the rods51 are generally level so as .to form a fiat inner area or pocket forcontaining the fluid-to be filtered. A plurality of longitudinallyextending rods 53 are connected at the ends to the respective crossmembers 19 and to the lateral rods 51 in intermediate positions to forma basketlike structure for supporting the upper driving portion of theconveyor 27.

Theframe 15 includes a lower support 55 for the lower return section ofthe conveyor 27. The lower support 57 is similar to the upper support49. The lower support 57 is formed from a plurality of interconnectedlateral rods 61 and longitudinal rods 63. The use of rods for formingthe upper and lower support surfaces are preferred. The rods are easilycleaned and reduce the amount of accumulated sludge which forms whenother types of supporting surfaces are utilized. Within the tank 11there is provided a materialdischarge head 65 connected with a conduit67 leading from the source of material to be filtered. The head 65discharges into the pocket or flat portion of the conveyor and ispivotable so that it may be moved when it is desired to raise the frame15 for cleaning.

In operation, the arrangement is such that the contaminated fluid isdirected into the pocket by the discharge head 65. The pocket formed bythe sagging conveyor 27 and filter media 43 forms a puddle of liquid.The conveyor 27 and filter media 43 is initially at rest and liquidseeps through the filter media 43 into the tank 11 from which cleanfilter liquid is distributed.

The drive system is placed in operation when the motor 35 is energizedupon elevation of the float 69 to a predetermined level which closes anelectrical circuit (not shown) to the motor 35 by a switch 71. As afresh filter media 43 is exposed in the pocket, the flow of liquidthrough the filter media 43 increases causing the level of fluid in thepocket to decrease to a predetermined level at which the switch 71controlling the motor 35 is opened and the motor 35 stops. As thefiltration process continues and the filter media 43 becomes clogged,the level of fluid in the pocket rises and the cycle is repeated.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been described andillustrated, it is to be recognized that mofidications and variationsthereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thisinvention as described in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid filtering device comprising a tank for receiving filteredliquid, means for dispensing a sheet of filter media mounted at one endof said tank, a frame disposed within said tank, means for pivotablymounting one end of said frame on said tank, a conveyor mounted on saidframe for supporting said filter media, an upper support for the drivesection of said conveyor, said support comprising a plurality of rodsforming a pocket for containing unfiltered liquid, a lower support forthe return section of said conveyor said support comprising a pluralityof rods attached to said frame, said frame being movable to an uprightposition to expose said tank and said conveyor for cleaning.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a pair ofelongated members, a pair of cross members joining said elongatedmembers at the ends thereof, a roller at each end of said frame formounting and driving said conveyor.

3. A device according to claim 2 including head for discharging theunfiltered fluid into the pocket.

4. A device according to claim 3 including means for driving saidconveyor and a float extending into the pocket operably associated withsaid driving means for moving said conveyor when the unfiltered liquidreaches a predetermined level.

1. A liquid filtering device comprising a tank for receiving filteredliquid, means for dispensing a sheet of filter media mounted at one endof said tank, a frame disposed within said tank, means for pivotablymounting one end of said frame on said tank, a conveyor mounted on saidframe for supporting said filter media, an upper support for the drivesection of said conveyor, said support comprising a plurality of rodsforming a pocket for containing unfiltered liquid, a lower support forthe return section of said conveyor said support comprising a pluralityof rods attached to said frame, said frame being movable to an uprightposition to expose said tank and said conveyor for cleaning.
 2. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a pair of elongatedmembers, a pair of cross members joining said elongated members at theends thereof, a roller at each end of said frame for mounting anddriving said conveyor.
 3. A device according to claim 2 including headfor discharging the unfiltered fluid into the pocket.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 3 including means for driving said conveyor and afloat extending into the pocket operably associated with said drivingmeans for moving said conveyor when the unfiltered liquid reaches apredetermined level.